Time Course of Inflammation, Myocardial Injury, and Prothrombotic Response After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND—Inflammation has been linked to the genesis of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) and is implicated in early recurrent arrhythmia after AF ablation. We aimed to define the time course of inflammation, myocardial injury, and prothrombotic markers after radiofrequency ablation for AF and its relation to AF recurrence. METHODS AND RESULTS—Ninety consecutive AF patients (53% paroxysmal) undergoing radiofrequency ablation were recruited. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Troponin-T, creatine kinase-MB, fibrinogen, and D-Dimer concentrations were measured at baseline, at 1, 2, 3, 7 days, and at 1 month after ablation. AF recurrence was documented at 3 days and at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up. Troponin-T and creatine kinase-MB peaked at day 1 after procedure (both P